From the Collections
Memories from a Machinist's Mate: The Collection of Wilbert C. Gauding
Nicknamed “The Ship that Would Not Die”, the USS Laffey DD-724 fought in both theaters of World War II. Serving on board the Laffey throughout the war, Machinist’s Mate 2/c, Wilbert C. Gauding kept an illegal diary. The diary detailed the day-to-day actions of the destroyer including the fiercest kamikaze strikes. Gauding’s secret diary was later used by John Wukovits to write the book, Hell from the Heavens.
Of the deadly attack off Okinawa, Gauding described listening for the guns. “The five-inch guns would start to fire, then the 40 mm, and last, the 20mm. I knew the suicide planes were about to hit!” That day, the Laffey became the most bombed ship to survive World War II without sinking. Gauding survived the deadly attack and became a life-long supporter of the USS Laffey.
The Gauding Collection features personal artifacts, including his uniforms, photos, news articles of the attack, and mementos from his time as a crew member. Though Gauding passed in 2014, his spirit and enthusiasm for his beloved Laffey live on with The Laffey Association and Patriots Point.
Of the deadly attack off Okinawa, Gauding described listening for the guns. “The five-inch guns would start to fire, then the 40 mm, and last, the 20mm. I knew the suicide planes were about to hit!” That day, the Laffey became the most bombed ship to survive World War II without sinking. Gauding survived the deadly attack and became a life-long supporter of the USS Laffey.
The Gauding Collection features personal artifacts, including his uniforms, photos, news articles of the attack, and mementos from his time as a crew member. Though Gauding passed in 2014, his spirit and enthusiasm for his beloved Laffey live on with The Laffey Association and Patriots Point.
